Post date: May 18, 2016 4:41:27 AM

These images might just be the clearest signs of China's expansion in the disputed South China Sea

http://www.businessinsider.com/

AMTI/Amanda Macias/Business Insider

Fiery Cross Reef.

Over the past decade, China has pursued an extensive and far reaching campaign of dredging and creating man-made islands within the South China Sea. 

These pursuits have put China at odds with Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, and large sections of the international community including the US. One of the main areas that China's expansion has focused on has been the Spratly Island chain close to the Philippines. 

Beijing's expansion in this region has focused particularly one three main islands — the Fiery Cross Reef, Mischief Reef, and the Subi Reef. Below is a quick overview of what China has built on each of these islands, and how it impacts the Philippines. 

Fiery Cross Reef: January 2006 — June 2015

The Fiery Cross Reef is one the most developed of the islands that China is dredging in the South China Sea. According to the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, Beijing has already reclaimed over one square mile of territory on the reef.

China has immediately put this new territory to work. The reef is home to a 3,000 meter long airstrip that is capable of receiving military aircraft, in addition to a port that can receive tankers and surface combat ships. The reef also has two identified helipads.

In terms of defense capabilities, CSIS notes, the reef is equipped with air-defense guns, anti-frogmen defenses, a likely radar tower, and upwards of 10 possible satellite communication antennas. 

Aside from military power, China has also attempted to obtain de facto control of the reef through the use of civilians. In the beginning of January, China chartered civilian planes onto the island's airstrip in order to boost its territorial claims. 

Source: Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative/CSIS

Mischief Reef: January 2012 — June 2015

Mischief Reef falls entirely within the Philippines exclusive economic zone, the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative notes. And if China's reclaimed islands throughout the South China Sea are disregarded, the reef is 599 miles away from the nearest piece of land recognized as belonging to China.

So far, Beijing has reclaimed over two miles of island on Mischief Reef, and construction efforts on the island are well underway. The island currently features two pre-existing military facilities, fortified seawalls, and up to three satellite communication antennas. 

Unlike the Fiery Cross Reef, on which China appears to be creating an aerial-focused base, Mischief Reef is much more focused on acting as a place of safe harbor for China. Currently, China is dredging and widening an entrance into the reef, likely in an attempt to form a naval base. 

China is also in the process of quickly constructing an airstrip on Mischief Reef, and it has already built cement facilities on the reclaimed land. China took control of Mischief Reef from the Philippines four years ago. 

Source: Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative/CSIS

Subi Reef: August 2012 — June 2015

Subi Reef is China's most northern outpost in the Spratly Islands. Beijing has occupied the reef in some capacity since 1988; this is reflected in the island's overall level of development. 

Altogether, China has reclaimed slightly over 1.5 square miles of land. And Subi Reef is home to another 3,000 meter airstrip, a helipad, and a military facility, the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative notes. Additionally, the island has reinforced seawalls and up to seven satellite communication antenna. For construction purposes, the island also has at least three concrete construction plants. 

Subi Reef is also the closest to the Spratly's to a civilian location. At its closest point, the reef is only just over 15 miles away from a Filipino civilian population center of the Thitu Reefs. 

Source: Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative/CSIS